E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, DEC 19 -

The State Affairs Committee of parliament has instructed the government to revoke within 15 days all the “illegal” transfers of civil servants that took place since the beginning of the fiscal year.

The House committee grilled Chief Secretary Madhav Ghimire and secretaries of all the ministries over the arbitrary transfer of bureaucrats and warned of taking legal action against those failing to implement its decision. According to the committee, at least 894 government officials have been transferred since the beginning of the fiscal year in July, in violation of the legal calendar that says ministry-wise transfers will begin only after January.

“The parliamentary committee cannot turn a blind eye when the government breaches the law,” said Chairman of the State Affairs Committee Ramnath Dhakal. “We have information that many transfers have been executed for financial benefits. This is unacceptable. We are seriously concerned about this.”

The committee has instructed the Ministry of General Administration to take action against the officials who fail to revoke illegal transfers within 15 days. The ministry should monitor the situation and report to the chief secretary before taking legal action.

During Sunday’s discussion, lawmakers argued that political intervention was the primary reason behind the arbitrary transfer of civil servants. They said the abuse of power in transferring officials had made a mockery of efforts to ensure rule of law and good governance in the country.

This is the first time the House committee took serious exception to the transfers and summoned top bureaucrats from ministries concerned for a discussion. Chief Secretary Ghimire said the law does not delegate him sufficient powers.

Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Lila Mani Poudel said impunity and political intervention were rising in bureaucracy. He stressed the need for formulating policies governing the transfer of joint secretaries and secretaries that are currently done by the Cabinet on the recommendation of ministers.

Secretary at the Irrigation Ministry Brinda Hada received criticism from House Committee Chairman Dhakal for her “light remarks”. During the briefing, she had raised question whether the ministry should seek approval of the parliamentary committee before making any transfer.

Hada added that the decision of transfers under the Irrigation Ministry was taken on the basis of political consensus. Health Secretary Dr Pravin Mishra complained that political intervention had generated unhealthy competition in bureaucracy.

“The orders which are not implemented when one secretary makes recommendation are immediately carried out when another assumes office,” he complained.

Transfer statistics

First Class (Gazetted)    :     61

Second Class (Gazetted)    :     154

Third Class (Gazetted)    :     201

First Class (Non-Gazetted)    :     150

Second Class (Non-Gazetted)    :     235

Others    :     93

Total    :     894

Posted on: 2011-12-19 09:15

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